ICON plc, a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, has planned to further expand its UK hospital-based presence on the Manchester Royal Infirmary Campus.

ICON has secured a 40,000 square foot pre-let at Citylabs, a newly developed biomedical centre of excellence which was formerly known as the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

ICON currently operates a state-of-the-art, hospital-based Clinical Pharmacology Unit on the Manchester Royal Infirmary Campus, where it will continue to run its phase I operations until fully transitioning into the new, larger Citylabs facility, currently targeted to open in Q4 2013. Along with ICON's Translational Medicine Research Centre, Citylabs will feature biohealth organisations, including the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The University of Manchester and other commercial research organisations.

“We are pleased to be expanding our early phase development services through the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine in Citylabs,” commented Dr Mario Rocci, president, ICON Development Solutions. “This expansion will enable ICON to increase the capacity of its Clinical Pharmacology Unit in Manchester as well as the scientific services that are essential in providing a world class offering.”

Mike Deegan, chief executive, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said, “This exciting development supports our progress to be the leading hospital for research and patient care in England and Citylabs will strengthen our capability to support the development of new medicines and diagnostics for our patients. We are pleased that ICON, who is one of the leaders in early phase trials, is expanding into Citylabs which will help our patients to get early access to leading edge new treatments.”

ICON plc specialises in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development - from compound selection to phase I-IV clinical studies.